Asian Index Up, US Markets Record, US‑Iran Ceasefire
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- MSCI Asia Pacific Index opened 0.4% higher as traders bet a de‑escalation of the Middle East conflict will ease oil prices and boost growth.
- S&P 500 closed at a record high, helped by stronger‑than‑expected revenue from Bank of America and Morgan Stanley, which lifted financials.
- Bloomberg Dollar Spot Index was on track for its longest losing streak since December 2006 as the dollar weakened amid cooling tensions.
- Brent crude traded just under $95 a barrel, while gold hovered around $4,830 an ounce and Treasuries were slightly stronger.
- US and Iran are weighing a two‑week cease‑fire extension to allow more time for peace negotiations, reducing the risk of renewed fighting.
- Technology stocks led Wall Street gains, with Oracle up 4.2% and Microsoft up 4.6%, reflecting optimism around AI and earnings resilience.
Why it matters: Investors gain as the easing of US‑Iran tensions lifts risk sentiment, prompting a sell‑off of the dollar and a rally in equities, especially tech and financials, while oil‑price relief supports growth outlooks and reduces the cost of capital for emerging markets.
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